A DISPUTE between solicitors firm Eversheds and Dunnes Stores over fees of approximately €1m for professional services has been admitted to the Commercial Court.

Eversheds is seeking judgment of approximately €1.1m from Dunnes who, it is claimed, retained the company to act in connection with several contentious and non-contentious matters over the years.

Eversheds says that the failure to pay it the full amount it says is due for outstanding fees has resulted in it exercising a solicitor's lien, or security interest, over materials it holds on behalf of the supermarket chain, including planning documentation.

Eoin McCullough SC, for Eversheds, told the court last December, following discussions, an agreement had been entered into whereby Dunnes would pay his client €465,000 in respect of the fees Eversheds claims it is owed by early February 2016. The payment was not made, he said.

Eversheds would be entitled to a payment of more than €900,000 plus VAT of €210,000 and disbursements of €20,000, he said. His client was now seeking judgment against Dunnes of €1.1m. Mr Justice Brian McGovern admitted the case to the court's commercial list despite opposition from Dunnes.

Martin Hayden SC, for Dunnes, argued it should not be admitted because Eversheds had delayed in bringing the application. The case was adjourned to allow Dunnes prepare its defence to the claim.

The number of new cases entered into the country's fast-track Commercial Court, which deals with disputes valued at over €1m, have halved since 2010.